We Don’t Have to Do It Alone: Finding Steady Ground in the Messy Middle

Tina Armstrong
Oct 29
4 min read

“This morning, I almost skipped my walk. My to-do list was long, my spirit felt heavy, and my mind was racing. But that 45-minute walk with my husband reminded me—healing doesn’t just happen in stillness; sometimes, it happens through talking and moving.”

Why the Last Blog of the Month Feels Different

Each month inside the ROOTED journey, the final blog is always a little different. It’s not just teaching—it’s reflection.

It’s a chance for me to pause and share how I’ve been embodying the pillar we’ve been exploring that month. Because it’s one thing to write about Talk—but it’s another to live it out in real time, especially when life feels messy or uncertain.

This month reminded me once again: healing happens through connection. Honest, heartfelt conversations—with God, with ourselves, and with others—can ground us when life feels out of rhythm.

Key Takeaways

✅ Connection heals. You don’t have to walk through the messy middle alone.

✅ Routine creates rhythm. Daily practices stabilize your nervous system.

✅ Perspective shifts peace. Talk with someone who can help you see the truth.

✅ Movement restores balance. Caring for your body restores calm.

✅ Faith reframes focus. Philippians 4:8 invites us to dwell on what is true, lovely, and praiseworthy.

The Messy Middle and the Power of Talk

Have you ever found yourself in a season where you’re in between?Not who you used to be—but not yet who you’re becoming?

That’s what I call the messy middle.

For high-achieving professional women—especially Black women—this space can feel heavy. You’re excelling at work, managing relationships, and showing up for everyone, but beneath it all, there’s exhaustion. Chronic stress creeps in, often masked by productivity and performance.

The Talk pillar of the ROOTED framework teaches that we don’t have to carry that weight alone. Talking isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. Whether it’s through prayer, journaling, or conversation, healing begins when we express what’s within.

Personal Reflection: The Walk That Saved My Morning

Each weekday after we drop the kids off at school, my husband and I take a 45-minute walk before heading into the office. It’s a routine that started as a wellness habit but quickly became something sacred—a ritual of reconnection.

This morning, that walk became a lifeline.

As an entrepreneur, wife, and mom (and all the other hats I wear), I’m in a shifting season. I’m not quite where I want to be, but I’m no longer where I used to be. That in-between space can stir up anxiety if I’m not careful.

During our walk, I began unloading my frustrations—what hadn’t worked, what was slow, and all the things still left undone. My husband listened and then said something simple but grounding:

“Tina, you’re not walking this alone.”

That sentence softened my heart.

It reminded me that healing often comes through being seen and heard. We may not have control over every outcome, but connection keeps us anchored.

When I got home, I reached for the yellow Post-it that sits on my desk, the one with Philippians 4:8 written on it:

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—think about such things.”

That verse became my reset button. I realized how quickly I’d been focusing on what wasn’t happening instead of noticing the grace that was already present. That’s what Talk does—it realigns us with truth and helps us breathe again.

Looking Ahead: November and the Exercise Pillar

As we wrap up Talk, we turn toward our next ROOTED pillar—Exercise.

If Talk is about connection, Exercise is about embodiment. It’s how we honor our sacred vessels—the bodies God gave us to move through the world.

Next month, we’ll explore:

How movement supports emotional and spiritual health
Simple ways to regulate stress through mindful exercise
Why joy, not judgment, should guide how we move

Movement is more than physical—it’s spiritual. It’s a reminder that our bodies are not projects to fix but temples to care for.

What This Month’s Talk Pillar Has Taught Me

As I’ve lived into the Talk pillar this month, here’s what I’ve learned:

Honesty is healing. Vulnerability opens the door to clarity.
Community keeps us grounded. We thrive when we share, not when we isolate.
Faith reframes focus. Talking to God changes how we talk to ourselves.
Listening matters as much as speaking. True connection comes from presence.

When we practice intentional communication—with grace and curiosity—we find that words have the power to soothe, strengthen, and set us free.

FAQs About the Talk Pillar

1. What if I don’t have anyone to talk to? Start with yourself. Journaling, prayer, or voice notes help release emotion and bring clarity. Connection begins with honesty.

2. How does talking help with stress? Sharing activates the ventral vagal system—the part of your nervous system that signals safety—helping to calm your body and reduce cortisol.

3. What if talking makes me cry? Tears are release. Emotion is energy leaving the body. Crying is healing—it shows that you’re processing, not suppressing.

4. How does faith integrate into this pillar? Faith-centered talk, whether through prayer or spiritual community, grounds you in truth and provides a deeper peace that circumstances can’t shake.

5. What’s one practical step I can take this week? Schedule 10 minutes of “Talk Time” daily—share your thoughts with a friend, journal, or speak a gratitude aloud. Small moments create long-term calm.

Closing Reflection

As October comes to an end, I’m reminded of this:

We were never meant to do life—or healing—alone.

Talking opens the door to truth. Connection steadies the heart. And as we walk forward into November, may we remember that movement—whether through conversation or physical exercise—helps us stay ROOTED in peace.

Take a walk. Say what’s real. Let someone remind you that you are not alone.